49ers 2020 NFL Draft needs: Ranking top 5 safety options

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Antoine Winfield Jr., Minnesota Golden Gophers (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Antoine Winfield Jr., Minnesota Golden Gophers

When you think of ballhawks in college football this season, it’s hard to look past the season Antoine Winfield Jr. had for the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Winfield had seven interceptions for the year, returning them for 98 yards and a touchdown. He also showed some talent on the blitz, totaling three sacks for the season.

While not the most agile or athletic safety, Winfield knows how to make plays on the ball and create turnovers. He works best as a free safety (Jimmie Ward’s position) and he can fit in the defensive scheme of San Francisco.

Aside from his athleticism, the main thing that stops Winfield from being a top safety prospect is his size. Winfield stands at 5-foot-10 and 195 pounds, and is slightly undersized for the NFL.

However, as a tough safety who can make big plays and played well last season at Minnesota, he’s well worth taking a flier on either late in the third round or early in the fourth round of the draft.